Reflections on the Smiling Coast...

Things I have realized during my time in The Gambia

1. Proper greetings are of great importance. You shake hands, ask "How was the morning (or other)? Was it with Peace?"

2. Everything is done with a peace of mind

3. Giving your full names are important as there are very common first and last names

4. Society of tolerance: doesn't matter your religion, culture (different tribes), professions, etc -society lives in peace

5. Inquisitive culture: wants to know your name, where you are from, where you live, what you do

6. Fascination with toubabs seems to be indication of inferiority complex and people see "toubabs" as hard working, smart, rich, etc. and the term is not meant to be derogatory

7. Everyone takes care of everyone: on the bush taxis, strangers will help mothers with their small kids by having the kids sit on their knees without any thought to it

8. When you arrive at work in the morning, between 9-10:30am is breakfast time: having a proper breakfast is important, as they do not often (probably never) stop for a full lunch

9. It is common to discuss things in great detail, no matter how simple or complex the issue

10. It is typical to wear a net material tank top shirt, long pants and a toque in 40C weather while doing manual labour work outside

11. Everyone has at least one, and usually two cellphones for different coverage areas

12. Fufu, a popular local dish...is not tasty if you are not a fish person!

13. Vegetarian is a strange and foreign concept

14. The Gambia is a very very poor nation and even so is a happy and peaceful place


What is Development Work?

Definitions from local development workers here in The Gambia (taken from WACD-TC):

"Community development consists of programs aimed primarily at third world countries in order to alleviate poverty and suffering and to raise standards of living so that they may one day be comparable to that of the more developed industrial nations of the world."

"Community development is taking charge of their own futures. It is people identifying commonly felt problems and needs and taking steps to resolve the problems and meet the needs. It is people struggling to make their community a better place to live."

"Community development is to assist people to develop economically and socially viable communities which can strengthen and support adequately individual and family growth and enhance the quality of life."

"Community development is a process aimed at promoting citizen participation is social affairs, developing people's awareness of problems, enabling them to define their needs in relation to the total environment, making possible their enlightened choice amoung various options and channeling the results into effective action for social change."

"Community development is the holistic development of communities with full participation from its people positively towards the sustainable development of their communities."

"Community development of the people to join their minds fully on their goals and objectives to make a meaningful development."

Let me introduce the concept of development as a relative term. For some they define their development aspirations in comparison to the living standards of others. Some define development as a commitment of a community to improve in terms of what they feel is important. Development is hard work, and a struggle for many. I agree with defining your development in terms of what is important to you and your community. I do not believe in "developed" nations, and I not support terms like "least developed" or "third world" as these terms only help to reinforce superior and inferiority complexes (like inferiority to "toubab").

Wealthier nations, like Canada, Britain, or the United States, are constantly developing but not with as much focus as in many African nations. What if Canada put as much focus and effort on community development as African nations do? What would the development goals and objectives be? Perhaps to

We certainly have a long way to travel on the path of development, which I hope never ends. The pursuit of equality and social justice should never end. There is always room for improvement!